MSC Cruises: 15 Tips for First-Time Sailors

MSC is one of the biggest cruise lines in the world, and first-timers often don't quite know what to expect. It's not P&O. It's not Carnival. It's a Mediterranean company with a pan-European passenger mix, and that shapes almost everything about the experience - the food, the entertainment, the way the ship feels.

These are the things we wish someone had told us before our first MSC sailing.

Join the Voyagers Club before you book

MSC's loyalty programme is called the Voyagers Club, and unlike most cruise line schemes, you can join it before you've ever sailed with them. Do it before you book your first cruise - your points start accumulating from day one, and the early tiers come with discounts on future sailings. It takes about five minutes to sign up on the MSC website and there's no cost.

Check which ship you're actually getting

MSC's fleet is enormous - over 20 ships - and quality varies considerably. The newer ships like MSC Virtuosa, Seashore, and World Europa are genuinely impressive. Older vessels are a different experience. Before you commit, look up the specific ship, not just the itinerary. A cheap deal on an older hull isn't the same product you'll see in the brochure photos.

MSC Yacht Club is its own ship within a ship

MSC's premium tier, MSC Yacht Club, is one of the better value luxury upgrades in the industry. You get a private sundeck, a dedicated restaurant, a butler service, and a concierge. On a big ship sailing to busy ports, having a quiet space you can actually retreat to is worth more than it might sound. If MSC Yacht Club price is too steep, look at the Aurea Experience - it sits between standard and Yacht Club, with spa access and a better cabin location.

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Drinks packages: read the small print

If you're sailing with a partner and want a drinks package, be aware that both people in the cabin usually have to buy the same tier. You can't have one person on the full package and the other on soft drinks. The packages are priced per person per day and the maths only makes sense if you drink regularly - a couple of coffees and a glass of wine probably won't cover it. Work out your realistic daily spend before committing.

Book speciality dining early, especially on longer sailings

MSC has good speciality restaurants on most ships - the teppanyaki is worth it, and the steakhouse is consistently solid. They fill up fast, particularly on itineraries with lots of sea days. Book as soon as your cruise becomes available online, or on the first day aboard if you haven't pre-booked.

Embarkation at Mediterranean ports can be slow

Civitavecchia, Barcelona, Genoa - these ports handle huge volumes of passengers and MSC's embarkation process can feel disorganised compared to the UK terminals. Arrive in the middle of your check-in window, not at the very start. The first wave tends to face the longest queues.

The buffet is busy at peak times

On a ship carrying 4,000+ passengers, the buffet at 8am or noon is not a relaxing experience. Go early (before 7.30am) or wait until after the rush. The selection is good and the food quality is fine, but timing makes the difference between a pleasant breakfast and a stressful scramble for a table.

Announcements will be repeated in five languages

MSC carries passengers from across Europe and beyond, so every announcement gets made in multiple languages - typically English, Italian, French, German, and Spanish, sometimes more. On a sea day, this can feel relentless. Pack earbuds if you're sensitive to noise, or find a spot away from the main speaker zones.

Skip the ship's shore excursions in popular ports

MSC's excursion pricing in places like Dubrovnik, Barcelona, and Valletta is high for what you get. In most Mediterranean ports, independent transport is easy and cheap. A taxi to the old town, a local hop-on bus, or a pre-booked private guide will typically cost less and give you more flexibility. Save the ship's excursions for ports where you genuinely need the security of a guaranteed return.

Gratuities are added automatically

An automatic daily gratuity is added to your onboard account. If you want to adjust or remove it, you can do so at guest services - MSC will let you, though the staff genuinely appreciate them. Either way, know the charge is there so it doesn't surprise you when you see your final bill.

The entertainment is high production but repetitive

MSC invests heavily in its shows - the main theatre productions are well staged and the circus-style acts are impressive. The catch is that on a seven-night sailing, some shows are repeated across the week. Check the schedule on day one and pick your nights. You don't need to see the same aerial show twice to get the full experience.

WiFi packages can be patchy

The onboard WiFi is sold in tiers. The basic package is adequate for messaging and light browsing. Streaming is hit-and-miss depending on how many passengers are online at once. If you genuinely need reliable internet for work, buy the higher tier and accept it still won't be as consistent as you'd like at sea.

The pools fill up on sea days - claim your spot early

On ships with 4,000+ passengers, the pool decks are genuinely busy on sea days. Sunbeds get claimed early. If you want a spot near the water, you'll need to be there by mid-morning. Alternatively, look for secondary pool areas away from the main deck — they're usually quieter and passengers tend to overlook them.

Family-friendly doesn't mean child-free options don't exist

MSC is one of the more family-oriented lines, particularly in summer. But most ships have adults-only areas - usually part of the Aurea spa or an upper sundeck. If you're sailing without children and want some quiet time, find those areas on day one. They're usually much calmer than the main pool deck.

It's better value than most people expect

MSC regularly offers some of the lowest per-person prices in the European cruise market. That sometimes leads people to expect a budget experience, but the product on the newer ships is genuinely good. The trick is knowing which ship to book and which extras are worth paying for. Get those two things right and it's hard to beat for price.